Dobson, NC

North Carolina

Dobson is a small town in North Carolina with a population of 1,521. Residents earn $44,531 per year, which is 41% below the national average.

3.0 /5.0
B Good
1,521 Population 749/sq mi density
$44,531 Median Income $25,000 per capita
$168,300 Home Value $241,844 Zillow
$544 Median Rent
56°F Avg Temperature
190 Violent Crime/100K 2,346 property/100K
B
Overall
3.0 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.8 / 5.0
$44,531 median income, 2.7% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.6 / 5.0
$168,300 home value, $544/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
190 violent crimes/100K (50% below avg)
C+
Education
2.5 / 5.0
19.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $44,531
41% lower than US avg
Home Value $168,300
40% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 190/100K
50% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 19.0%
44% lower than US avg
Median Rent $544
53% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 38.7%
21% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.7%
25% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 3.4%
73% lower than US avg

How Dobson Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population1,521
Median Age37.9 yrs
Density749/mi²
Male / Female56% / 44%
Largest GroupWhite 71%

Economy

B+
Median Income$44,531
Per Capita$25,000
Unemployment2.7%
Poverty3.4%
County GDP$3,540M
Commute18 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$168,300
Rent$544
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$241,844

Crime

F
Violent190/100K
Property2,346/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault127/100K
Burglary63/100K

Health

Obesity38.7%
UninsuredN/A
Depression26.6%
Heart Disease5.8%

Climate

Avg Temp56°F
AQI40 (Good)
Rain50.5 in/yr
Elevation1,235 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+19.0%
High School+79.3%
School Score5.46

Community

2024 VoteR 76% / D 23%
Commute18 min
EV Stations5
Libraries5

Is Dobson a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Dobson receives an overall livability score of 3.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, affordable housing, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Dobson offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Dobson is $44,531, 41% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.7%. Only 3.4% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 18 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Dobson is $168,300, 40% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $544 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 3.8x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Dobson is below the national average at 190 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 2,346 per 100,000, near the national average.

Education

19.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 79.3% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.5/10.

Climate & Weather

Dobson enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F. Winters average 36°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 50.5 inches, including 8.2 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Dobson has a population of 1,521 with a density of 749 people per square mile. The median age is 37.9 years, 3% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (70.5%), with 1.2% Hispanic, 13.6% Black.

Population

1,521
Total Population
749
People / sq mi
37.9yrs
Median Age
3% below US avg
2.0mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 55.8%
Female 44.2%

Race & Ethnicity

Dobson vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only78.6%
0% below US avg
Spanish21.4%
60% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Dobson vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Dobson is $44,531, which is 41% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.7% (below the 3.6% US average). 3.4% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 18 minutes.

Income: Dobson vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$44,531
41% below US avg
Per Capita Income$25,000
Avg Weekly Wage$949
IRS Avg AGI$63,723

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.7%
25% below US avg
Poverty Rate3.4%
73% below US avg
Establishments (County)2,028
County GDP$3,540M

Business (County)

Restaurants162
Healthcare164
Retail315
Manufacturing97

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,160
10% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.88%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time18.3 min
Work from Home0.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Dobson is $168,300, 40% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $544 (53% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $241,844.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$168,300
40% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$241,844
Median List Price$307,449

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$307,449
$/Sq Ft$120
Homes Sold1
Sale-to-List Ratio95.1%
Price Drops60.0%
Inventory5

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$544
53% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$932
1 Bedroom$981
2 Bedrooms$1,161
3 Bedrooms$1,499
4 Bedrooms$1,780

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied41.3%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,160
10% below US avg
Effective Rate1.88%
In Dobson, 38.7% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 26.6% report depression. 25.9% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Dobson vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity38.7%
21% above US avg
Diabetes10.0%
Heart Disease5.8%
High Blood Pressure32.5%
Asthma10.8%
COPD7.1%
Stroke3.1%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking16.5%
Physical Inactivity25.9%
Depression26.6%
Mental Distress18.5%
Physical Distress13.3%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate86.7%
Checkup Rate76.3%
Premature Death10,742/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.3/10
Exercise Access47.6%
Healthcare Facilities164
Dobson has a violent crime rate of 190 per 100,000 residents, 50% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 2,346 per 100,000 (20% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Dobson vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent190.2/100K
50% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape63.4/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault126.8/100K

Property Crime

Total Property2,346.2/100K
20% above US avg
Burglary63.4/100K
Theft2,156.0/100K
Vehicle Theft126.8/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)14

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Dobson has an average annual temperature of 56°F (13°C). Winters average 36°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation is 50.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

36°F Jan (2°C) 75°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average55.5°F
3% above US avg
January Average36°F (2°C)
July Average75°F (24°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall50.5 inches
33% above US avg
Snowfall8.2 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,235 ft (376 m)
Area2.0 sq mi (5.3 km²)
Population Density749/sq mi
Coordinates36.3926°N, 80.7237°W
County FIPS37171
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 19.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (44% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 53.3-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 76.3%
D 23%

Winner: Republican by 53.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+19.0%
44% below US avg
High School+79.3%
School Test Score5.46
C+ Education Grade (2.5/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density749/sq mi
Total Area2.0 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations5
Alt Fuel Stations7
Public Libraries5
Healthcare Facilities164
Restaurants162
Retail Stores315

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)14
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute18.3 min
Work from Home0.0%

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